Thought for Saturday, 26th Week in Ordinary Time

The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus,
“Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.”
Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.
Behold, I have given you the power
‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions
and upon the full force of the enemy
and nothing will harm you.
Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you,
but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

At that very moment he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said,
“I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows who the Son is except the Father,
and who the Father is except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

Turning to the disciples in private he said,
“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
For I say to you,
many prophets and kings desired to see what you see,
but did not see it,
and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”

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I did not have time to document our last day in Rome, so here it is. We woke up early to eat breakfast at the hotel and then went to St. Peter’s Square for the audience with Pope Francis. There was excitement in the air as thousands of people swarmed upon the Square anticipating a close viewing of the Holy Father. Our group got separated into a few different groups as you can imagine the chaos. The key is getting a seat close to one of the barriers because the Pope drives around the whole Square to be near the people.

The anticipation built as the time approached for the audience. We first saw him on the jumbotron. He was inside the hall talking to people with disabilities. One of our group members who was in a wheelchair was able to be in that hall along with a chaperone. They had a wonderful view of the Holy Father. It was amazing to seePope Francis greet many of the people in person and really give them his attention.

After he finished the audience in the hall, Pope Francis came outside and his driver started around the Square. People quickly moved as close as they could to the barriers so that they could get a close picture or view of him. The waves of excitement spread all over the thousands gathered there. We had a good view of Pope Francis as he went by. Many people felt that he was looking right at them. They felt a connection.

Once he arrived back at the front, the Pope gave a short reflection on his time in the United States in Italian. They gave a short translation of his talk in several different languages. We were amazed at how vibrant he looked at age 78 with the schedule he has been keeping. Then he finished with a blessing to all who were present. Finally, he started greeting the cardinals, bishops and dignitaries who were present. He also blessed and greeted about 150 newly married couple. The couple had been recently married and come to the Wednesday audiences in their bridal clothes. He greets every single one of them! He is a man for the people!

When we left the Square we met for our farewell luncheon and then had Mass at a beautiful church nearby called Spirito Santo. After Mass our group went different ways for the evening. I accompanied a group that went to purchase a chalice for a priest friend near the Pantheon. The Pantheon was built before Christ and was a temple to all the gods. It eventually became a Catholic church and still is in amazing condition to this day.

We finished our trip with a wonderful outdoor dinner by the Pantheon and capped everything off with gelato! It was bittersweet to leave Italy. Many of us were ready to get back to our homes and beds, but the pilgrimage was full of so many blessings.

We have arrived home now and the challenge is to get our body clocks back on central time.

Thank you Lord for the many ways that you love us. We experienced your love through the Eucharistic miracle in Lanciano, seeing your Holy Face (Volto Santo), visiting the sights of saints who united their lives to you, seeing Pope Francis, and meeting some amazing people. Please help us to appreciate the countless ways that you pour your grace upon us.